Yarn measuring and yarn feeding therefor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for sequentially feeding a plurality of individual yarn segments to a sensing device wherein a property of the yarn segments is measured. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the denier of the yarn is measured and the sensing device is an electronic denier sensor. Each of the yarn segments is drawn through a yarn path which includes the sensing device by a previously measured yarn segment which is spliced to the subsequent yarn segment and thereafter severed so that the subsequent yarn segment can be measured. The splicing operation takes place as the yarn is moving through the yarn path so that the measuring operation is continuous. Each yarn segment is loaded into a magazine which is intermittently moved to sequentially feed each yarn segment into a stationary splicer. Each yarn segment is sequentially spliced to the next after a predetermined length of each yarn segment has passed through the sensing device.

United States Patent [1 1 Jernigan et al.

[ Aug. 14, 1973 YARN MEASURING AND YARN FEEDING THEREFOR [73] Assignee: Celanese Corporation, New York,

. .o N.Y.

[22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 198,542

s2 U.S.Cl. 73/160 51 Int. Cl B6511 43/04 [58] Field of Search 73/160; 28/64; 57/142, 22, 34 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,640,059 2/1972 Lutovsky 57/34 R Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser Assistantfixaminer-Denis E. Corr Attorney-Stephen D. Murphy and Louis Gublnsky 57 ABSTRACT An apparatus and method for sequentially feeding a plurality of individual yarn segments to a sensing device wherein a property of the yarn segments is measured.

' M In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the denier of the yarn is measured and -the sensing device is an electronic denier sensor. Each of the yarn segments is drawn through a yarn path which includes the sensing device by a previously measured yarn segment which is spliced to the subsequent yarn segment and thereafter severed so that the subsequent yarn segment can be measured. The splicing operation takes place as the yarn is moving through the yarn path so that the measuring operation is continuous. Each yarn segment is loaded into a magazine which is intermittently moved to sequentially feed each yarn segment into a stationary splicer. Each yarn segment is sequentially spliced to the next after a predetermined length of each yarn segment has passed through the sensing device.

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STOP CAM 130 r \I f \r INDEX CAM ZIO L J AIR SPLCE 206 \f \I \r v CONTROL PIN CAM [GO J CONTROL PIN CHM I62 OONTmL PIN cam 64 J .J

YARN MEASURING AND YARN FEEDING THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to testing of yarns. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for continuously feeding in sequence a plurality of yarn ends or segments from different yarn packages through a device for sensing a property, such as the denier, of each yarn. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuously measuring in sequence a plurality of segments of yarn from separate yarn packages. In still another of its aspects, the invention relates to a magazine for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a device for measuring a characteristic of the yarn.

2. State of the Prior Art Man-made and/or synthetic textile yarn is produced by spinning or extruding a fiber-formable polymer in liquid form through a die containing one or-a plurality of openings, the liquid polymer falling in a continuous stream into a cooling medium to solidify the polymer into continuous filaments. The continuous filaments can then be grouped and thus formed into a yarn. A yarn may be a monofilament yarn or formed of a plurality of filaments. Occassionally, during the spinning operation, one or more of the die openings will become partially or completely clogged, thereby blocking the flow of liquid therethrough. The yarn formed by such an operation wherein one of the die holes is plugged will appear the same as other yarn but will have fewer threads. If a hole is partially blocked, the mono or multiple filament yarn will have a smaller diameter.

Yarns are classified according to denier, or weight per unit of length. Yarns of a given denierare customarily used in a given piece of cloth. A yarn with fewer threads or smaller threads usually is of a lower denier. Sometimes, one or more filaments of a multifilament yarn may be of increased denier, causing the composite yarn to have a higher denier. When a lower or higher denier yarn is woven with other yarns of proper denier, the resulting cloth after dyeing and laundering often has a noticeable line or streak running through it and is said to be defective. It is therefore important that the denier of each yarn be ascertained prior to manufacture of the cloth.

Usually, the denier of a yarn package will not vary significantly throughout its length. Therefore, it is customary to check the denier of the end of each yarn package to see whether the yarn meets denier specifications. Presently, the denier of each package of yarn is checked by cutting off a predetermined length of yarn and weighing the cut length. The weight of the cut length of yarn is compared to a standard weight to see how the measured yarn compares to a standard yarn. For example, a yarn with too few threads will be light, or a yarn with too many threads will be too heavy. Although this procedure is fairly simple, it is rather time consuming and relatively inaccurate.

Machines for measuring the denier of yarn using a capacitance method are available commercially. For example, the Uster Corporation of Charlotte, NC, sells a machine called the Electronic Denier Control for electronically measuring the denier of yarn. The electronic denier control has a measuring head comprising two spaced plates between which the yarn passes. The

capacitance between the plates is a function of the denier of the yarn passing therebetween. An electrical measurement is taken of the capacitance between the plates and a signal representative of such capacitance is generated. This signal is recorded or used to drive a meter which is calibrated for the denier of the yarn passing betweenthe plates. 5

Each yarn measured must be drawn through the machine in a predetermined yarn path and thus must be threaded through the yarn pathbefore being checked for denier. Heretofore, each new yam to be checked had to be threaded through the yarn path after the previous yarn was monitored. This procedure required shutting down of the machine while the threading operation took place and was quite time consuming.

Y arn is also checked for properties other than denier, such properties including birefringence, presence or absence of selected materials such as lubricants. Al though test procedures and machines are available for checking these properties, each yarn is checked in a separate time consuming procedure.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION An apparatus and method have now been discovered for continuously feeding a plurality of yarn segments consecutively through a yarn measuring or monitoring means by dynamically splicing one yarn segment to, the next while the first segment is passing through and being monitored by the monitoring means. Thereafter, the first segment is severed so that the second yarn is drawn through the monitoring means. A plurality of yarn ends or segments are mounted in a spatial relationship to each other in a magazine which is incrementally indexed or moved so that each yarn segment is sequentially fed to a stationary splicing means which splices each yarn with the end of the next yarn in the sequence as the first yarn is being monitored. The first yarn passing through the monitoring means is then pinched off behind the splice by a guide in the magazine so that the next yarn segment can be pulled singularly through the monitoring means. This procedure continues until all of the yarn ends have been monitored.

Desirably, a standard yarn is first threaded through the yarn path and this standard yarn is the first yarn in the sequence. After the standard yarn is severed, it is positioned in the end of the magazine so that the standard yarn will be once again threaded into the yarn path after the last yarn in the magazine has been monitored. This procedure eliminates rethreading of the standardized yarn through the yarn path.

In one embodiment, the monitoring means is an electronic denier sensing device which senses the denier of the yarn passing therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a denier measuring apparatus according to the invention and positioned with a plurality of yarn packages for testing;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view seen along lines 15-15 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 through 11 are schematic representations of the magazine and splicer portions of the invention, slightly enlarged, each figure illustrating a successive step in the operation of feeding the yarn ends to the denier checking device;

FIG. 12 is a diagramatic view of the cam operation as a function of time for each of the cam operated parts in the yarn feeding operation;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the control system used in the apparatus; and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating schematically the manner in which the standardization yarn is rethreaded into the yarn path.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is illustrated an automatic measuring apparatus and a yarn transport cart 22 positioned adjacent thereto. A plurality of packages 24 of yarn are arranged on the yarn transport 22. A guide frame 26 having a plurality of guide openings 28 is secured to one end of the yarn transport cart for guiding yarn from each individual package to the denier measuring apparatus. Other equivalents of frame 26, such as a free standing rack, can be employed and are within the perview of the invention.

The measuring apparatus comprises a magazine 30 which is mounted on the front of the apparatus housing and retains the ends of the yarn from each package in the yarn transport. A splicing head 32 is mounted on the housing in operative relationship to the yarn ends in the magazine 30. The splicing head 32 and a whorl tensioner 34 are secured to a platform 35 which is fixed to the front panel of the machine 20. The yarn ends are drawn through the splicing head 32, around the whorl tensioner 34 and upwardly through a denier sensing device 36 which electrically monitors the denier of the yarn ends. A godet roll 38 and a nip roll 40 above the denier sensing device 36 draw the yarn ends through the denier sensing device 36 and conduct the yarn ends into a pneumatic aspirator 42. The whorl tensioner is a well known tensioning device which rotates about its mounting axis on the platform 35 and which maintains a predetermined tension on the yarn passing through the denier sensing device 36.

The apparatus 20 is provided with a main control panel 44 at the front thereof and a denier sensing device control panel 46 positioned beneath the panel 44. An opening 48 is provided beneath the control panel 46 for housing a yarn package 50 having a standardized denier yarn therein. An alarm light 52 is mounted conveniently on top of the apparatus housing and gives a visual alarm when the machine stops.

THE MAGAZINE AND CARRIER Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the magazine 30 rides in a vertical slot in the front panel of the apparatus housing. The magazine 30 comprises a vertical guide member 54 having a plurality ofguide slots 56 for receiving and passing the separate ends of yarn from each of the yarn packages 24 in the yarn transport 22. A retainer bar 57, pivotably mounted at the top to the guide member, retains the yarn ends in the guide slots. For purposes of illustration, certain of the yarn segments passing through the guide openings 56 have heen designated as 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. The guide member is mounted to a side plate 58. A second side plate 60 is spaced from the side plate 58 by a central vertical indentation 62. Vertical rows of control pins 64 and 66 are mounted in a staggered relationship in bores 72 (FIG. 4) in side plate 58. Vertical rows of control pins 68 and 70are mounted in staggered relationship in bores 62 (FIG. 4) in the side plate 68. Control pins 64 correspond horizontally with control pins 68. Control pins 66 correspond horizontally with control pins 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the control pins has a front head ofa larger diameter than the shank of the pin. The head fits into a recess in the front of the plate in which the control pin is mounted. In addition, a back head 74 of a larger diameter than the shank of each control pin is provided at the rear end for retaining a spring 76 which biases the pin in the closed position with the front head within the recess in the front of its respective plate as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Each yarn end is retained by the head ofa control pin on either side of the indentation 62. The yarn is mounted to pass beneath the shank of the control pin in side plate 58 and above the shank of the corresponding pin in side plate 60. For example yarn end 240 is mounted beneath the shank of control pin 64a and above the shank of control pin 68a with the yarn extending horizontally across the indentation 62. When the control pins are closed, the yarn is tightly retained thereby. When the control pins are open, i.e., pushed forward, the yarn beneath the front heads is released.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a magazine carrier 78 has a vertical bore 80 with a magazine carrier rod 82 extending therethrough. Bearings 84 are provided between the carrier rod 82 and the vertical bore 80 so that the magazine carrier 78 can move freely on the magazine carrier rod 82.

The magazine 30 is releasably retained in the magazine carrier 78 by a clip 86 above the magazine and by a clip 88 beneath the magazine. The clip 86 has a downward projection 90 which fits behind a recess 94 at the top of the magazine. Likewise, the clip 88 has an upward projection 92 which fits behind a recess 96 at the bottom of the magazine. The clip 86 is mounted on a pivot pin 98 and spring biased by means (not shown) in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Likewise, clip 88 is mounted on pivot axis 100 and spring biased by means (not shown) in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. The spring biased clips provide a releasable mounting for the magazine on the carrier 78.

A hook 102 is secured to the magazine carrier 78 at the top portion thereof and engages a pulley rope 104 which extends upwardly thereof and over pulleys 106 and 108. A weight 110 is secured to the end of the pulley rope 104 at the back of the apparatus housing for counterbalancing of the magazine carrier and the magazine. The weight is sufficient to barely lift the magazine 30 and the magazine carrier 78 when there are no external forces holding the magazine carrier down.

INDEXING MECHANISM The indexing mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 3. A gear rack 112 is mounted to the back of the magazine carrier 78 and has a plurality of vertically aligned gear teeth facing rearwardly of the magazine carrier 78. A detent arm 114 has a detent pin 116 extending laterally thereof between two of the teeth of the gear rack 112. The detent arm 114 is pivotably mounted at pin 118. A detent release air cylinder 122 has a piston rod 124 which is pivotably secured to the top portion of the detent arm 114 by a pin 120. A spring 126 resiliently biases the detent pin 116 in contact with the gear rack 112. Air under pressure is supplied to the cylinder 122 through air line 114 via a control valve (not shown).

A pawl 128 has a lower end engaging the teeth of the gear rack 112 and is pivotably mounted to a pawl carrier 130 through a pin 132. A spring (not shown) biases the pawl into engagement with the gear rack 112. The pawl carrier 130 is pivotably mounted on a pin 134 and is secured at a bottom portion to a piston rod 138 of an index air cylinder 136 through a pivot pin 140. Air is supplied to the cylinder 136 through a valve controlled air line 142.

The operation of the indexing mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3 takes place as follows: The position of the magazine carrier 78 is determined by the position of the detent pin 116 between two of the teeth of the gear rack 112. The movement of the rack is controlled by the pawl 128 which is actuated by the index air cylinder 136. When the magazine is first loaded into the magazine carrier 78, the magazine carrier is placed inits initial position with the pawl 128 engaging a bottom gear in the gear rack. The detent'pin 116 settles between two gear teeth just above the pawl. When it is desirable to move the magazine downwardly, a valve (not shown) controlling the index air cylinder 136 is opened to permit air to be introduced into the air cylinder 136 through air line 142. This rotates the pawl carrier 130 about the pivot pin 134, thereby forcing the pawl downwardly. This movement pulls the rack downwardly with the index pin 116 riding up over a gear tooth. The pressure in the air line 142 is then released, thereby permitting the pawl carrier 130 to rotate in a clockwise direction so that the pawl 128 moves upwardly to the next gear. The indexing operation takes place from gear to gear as described above with the spacing between the gear teeth corresponding to the difference between vertically spaced pins in the magazme.

The operation continues during selected time intervals in the cycle until the bottom of the rack is reached by the detent pin 116. At that point, an air valve (not shown in FIG. 3) is activated to permit air to pass through line 144 into the back end of the detent release air cylinder 122 thereby actuating movement of the detent pin away from the rack 22. When the detent arm 114 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, the detent pin 116 engages the pawl 128 to pivot the pawl in a counterclockwise direction about pin 132, thereby disengaging the pawl from the rack 112. The counterweight system (pulley rope 104 and weight 110) then pulls the magazine carrier 78 and the magazine upwardly until it reaches the initial loading position.

CONTROL PIN ACTUATING MECHANISM Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 for a description of the mechanism for actuating the control pins 64, 66, 68, and 70. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control pins project slightly from the back surface of the magazine and are spring biased in that position. Control fingers 146, 148, and 150 are pivotably mounted adjacent to the magazine carrier 78 on a pivot pin 152. Control finger 146 has a cam follower 154 which abuts a cam 160 on a cam shaft 166. Likewise, control fingers 148 and 150 have cam followers 156 and 158, respectively, which engage cams 162 and 164, respectively, on cam shaft 166. Each of the control fingers 146, 148 and 150 is spring biased toward the cam shaft by a spring or other suitable biasing means (not shown). Control finger 146 has a contact bar 147 which engages the rear head 74 of the control pins 66. The contact bars 149 and 147 are high enough so as to contact the rear of a control pin at two consecutive levels of the magazine. Thus, each control pin 64 and 66 is in position for operation by control fingers 146 and 148 as the magazine is indexed twice. Likewise, a contact bar 151 is secured to the upper end of the control finger 150 for contact of the control pins 68 and 70. The bar 151 is wide enough to contact both rows of the control pins 68 and 70 simultaneously. Desirably, a mechanical coupling (not shown) is provided between the control finger 148 and a guide pin 51 on the front panel of the apparatus housing so that the guide pin is operated with the' row of control pins 66.

Each of the control fingers 146, 148, and 150 are controlled by rotation of cams 160, 162, and 164, respectively. The cams force the fingers to the left as viewed in FIG. 5 in order to push the pins outwardly to release the threads. The control fingers only operate those control pins which are positioned at the splicing head 32. Thus, as the magazine 30 is indexed downwardly, a different horizontal set of control pins are positioned for actuation by the control fingers 146, 148,

and 150.

A guide pin 51 (FIG. 2) on the front of the main apparatus is provided for the standardization yarn 50a. This control pin is also actuated by a control finger (not shown) similar to control finger 148. The pin 151 will be actuated in a sequence with the control finger 148 and with pins 66.

SPLICER HEAD Referring once again to FIG. 4, the splicing head 32 extends between the central vertical indentation 62 of the magazine 30. The splicer head has a horizontal tapered slot 168 which is vertically aligned with the yarn ends retained by the magazine. The tapered slot terminates in a circular bore 169 through which the yarn passes after being guided thereto by the tapered slot 168. A port 170 communicates with the circular bore 169 at a 45 angle thereto. An air hose 172 is connected to the circular bore for supplying puffs or pulses of air to the bore for the splicing operation. The port 170 enters the bore 169 at the top portion. The movement of the air through the bore comingles and intermixes separate yarns in the bore to splice the yarns together. A second bore 174, perpendicular to the circular bore 169, communicates with the leading edge of the body of the splicing head 32, with the edge of the knife positioned just vertically below the circular bore 169.

YARN END FEEDING OPERATION The operation of successively feeding the yarn ends to the denier sensing device will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 6 through 11. In these figures, the yarn ends have. been designated by the numbers 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24c, and 24f. The lowermost control pins 64 have been designated for purposes of illustration by the numerals 64a, 64b, and 64c. Similarly, the lowermost control pins 66 have been designated 66a, 66b, and 660. Likewise, the lower control pins 68 and 70 have been designated 68a, 68b, and 680, and 70a, 70b, and 700. The standardization yarn has been numbered 50a. For purposes of simplicity, only the lowermost control pins in each vertical row have been shown in FIGS. 6 through 11.

FIG. 6 illustrates the initial starting position of the magazine. The standardization yarn 50a passes beneath the head and over the shank of guide pin 51, over knife edge 176 and through the central bore 169 of splicing head 36. The standardization yarn is drawn through a yarn path including tensioner 34 and the denier sensing device 36 by the godet roll 38. At the start of the operation, all pins in rows 64, 66, 68, and 70 are closed so that the yarns positioned beneath the pin heads are securely retained thereby. Each of the yarn ends 24a, 24b, etc., spans the indentation 62 and is held by a control pin on either side thereof. At the start of the operation, the cam 162 actuates the control finger 148 to push the guide pin 51 forward, thereby freeing the standardization yarn 50a for movement through the splicer head 32. At the same time, the godet roll 38 begins to rotate so that the standardization yarn is pulled through the splicing head and the yarn path. While the standardization yarn is drawn through the yarn path, the denier sensing device 36 can be calibrated.

The magazine is then indexed downwardly one unit in a manner which has been described above the reference to FIG. 3, thereby moving the magazine 30 downwardly with respect to the splicer head 32. The first step of the operation is illustrated in FIG. 7. As the magazine moves downwardly, the first yarn end 24a is threaded into the central bore 169 of the splicer head 32 through the tapered slot 168. At this point, the pins 64a and 68a are pushed forward, thereby releasing the yarn 24a. A pulse of air is then introduced tangentially into the circular bore 169 of the splicing head 32 to splice the yarn 24a to the standardization yam 500. This second step is illustrated in FIG. 8. During this step, the very end of yarn 24a comes out from behind the head of pin 680 but the other portion stays behind the head of pin 64a. While it remains open, the shank of pin 64a thus forms a guide for the yarn 240.

As the yarn 24a is spliced to the standardization yarn, the standardization yarn begins to pull the yarn end 24a through the yarn path. Shortly thereafter, the guide pin 51 is closed, thereby drawing the standardization yarn 50a tight against the knife edge 176. A stress point forms on the standardization yarn at the knife edge 176 and severs the yarn at that point as illustrated in FIG. 9. The yarn 24a is then pulled through the yarn path which includes the denier sensing device 36. At this time, the denier sensing device 36 measures the denier of the yarn 240. In addition, the control finger 150 is released so that the control pin 68a closes.

After a sufficient amount of the first yarn 24a has been drawn through the denier sensing device 36, the magazine 30 is indexed down another unit, thereby drawing the yarn 24a across the knife edge 176. This new position is illustrated in FIG. 10. At this point, the yarn 24a is still running beneath the head of control pin 64a. Normally, about 4 to meters of each yarn is required to pass through the denier sensing device in order to properly check the denier of each yarn package. During the movement of the magazine 30 downwardly with respect to the splicing head 32, the second yarn end 24b is threaded into the circular bore 169 of the splicing head 32 through the tapered slot 168. The

control pins 66a and 70a are then opened by their respective operating cams, thereby freeing yarn 24b. FIG. 11 illustrates the next step wherein a blast of air is introduced into the splicing head 32 to splice the second yarn 24b to the first yarn 24a. This splicing action pulls the end of yarn 24b out from behind the pin 70a and splices yarns 24a and 24b together. Yarn 24a draws the yarn 24b through the yarn path. The control finger 64a is then closed to stop the movement of yarn 240. This holding of yarn 24a results in a stress point at the knife edge 176 to sever the yarn 2411 at the knife edge 176. The yarn 24b is then drawn through the yarn path and is checked for denier by the denier sensing device 36. The control pin 70a is then closed. This cycle is repeated with the next yarn end 24c spliced to the lower yarn end 24b and the lower yarn end 24b then cut off. The cycle is repeated as the magazine is indexed down incrementally until each of the yarn ends has been run through the denier sensing device 36. When each of the yarn ends has been checked for denier, the machine will stop. When the last yarn in the magazine is broken, no other yarn is spliced thereto. The denier sensing device 36 will sense the absence of yarn and will cause the machine to stop, giving the alarm signal. Altemately, the standardization yarn 500 can be threaded through the last horizontal row of control pins at the top of the magazine as the last yarn end in the magazine. When the last yarn end has then been drawn through the denier checker, it will be spliced to the standardized yarn and then severed. The machine can then be stopped and the standardization yarn will be threaded into the yarn path. In this manner, rethreading of the standardized yarn into the yarn path is avoided.

ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM The electrical control system will now be described with reference to FIG. 12 in which a number of parts described above are schematically illustrated and like numerals have been used to designate like parts. A controller 180 has a start and reset input buttons and controls the operation of the denier sensing device 36 through a monitoring control system 182. A motor 184 drives the godet roll 38 and is controlled by the controller 180 through a signal line. A second motor 186 is provided for driving the cams 160, 162, and 164 (not shown in FIG. 12), and is mechanically coupled to an alarm blank cam 204 and to a head blank cam 192. An index cam 210 is mechanically coupled to the motor 186 and mechanically controls an air valve 212 in line 142 for the index cylinder 136. The motor 186 is electrically coupled to the controller 180 through a microswitch 188 which is operated by the stop cam 190. The head blank cam 192 operates a microswitch 194 in the control line between the controller 180 and the monitoring control system 182. The alarm blank cam 204 operates a microswitch 202 in the control line between the controller 180 and the alarm 200. A microswitch 196 is provided beneath the magazine carrier 78 to sense the position of the magazine carrier when it has been indexed to the bottom position in the cycle. The controller 180 is electrically coupled through the microswitch 196 to a valve 178 which controls the flow of air through line 144 to the detent release cylinder 122.

The control system operates as follows: The start button is pushed on the controller 180 to initiate operation of the machine. The controller 180 sends a signal via switch 194 to the monitoring control system of the denier sensing device 36. After a sufficient time has elapsed to enable the denier sensing device 36 to warm up, the controller 180, either automatically or by a manual input button, signals motor 184 and motor 186 to begin the operation. The standardization yarn is thereby drawn through the denier sensing device 136 and around the godet roll 38. The operation of the motor 186 commences the indexing operation by rotating the index cam 210. The air valve 212 is opened by operation of the cam 210 to allow air to .pass through line 142 to the index air cylinder 138 thereby indexing the magazine carrier and the magazine downwardly in increments. Cam 206, driven by motor 186, actuates air valve 208 to permit air to pass to the splicer. When the first yarn end is spliced to the standardization yarn and the standardization yarn is cut, the spliced ends are passed through the denier sensing device 36. At this time, the device 36 will show an increased thickness of the yarn due to the overlapped ends. However, the head blank cam 192 is so timed with the splicing operation that it actuates the microswitch 194 to cut off the signal from the monitoring control system 192 to the controller 180 during the period of time in which the spliced ends pass through the denier sensing device 36. Simultaneously, the alarm blank cam 204 cuts off the alarm signal to alarm 200. Otherwise, an alarm signal would be sent to the alarm 200 from the controller 180 due to the absence of a signal from the monitor 182. In the event that the denier varies from predetermined limits, the monitoring control system will signal the controller 180. In response to the variation signal from the monitor 182, the'controller 180 will signal motor 184 to stop, will signal alarm 200 to commence a visual and/or audible alarm, and will signal motor 186 to stop. However, microswitch 188 will not pass the signal to motor 186 until actuated by the stop cam 190;

Therefore, the motor will stop at a predetermined position each time so that it will be in a position to start at the same time when the motor is restarted.

The reset button is pushed in order to restart the machine. The controller 180 then signals motors 184 and 186 to begin and signals the monitoring control system 182 to continue the denier sensing function.

When the magazine carrier 78 has reached the bottom of the cycle and the last thread end has been checked, the microswitch 196 is actuated by the magazine 78 so that a signal is sent from the controller 180 to the valve 198. This valve opens the air line 144 for the detent release air cylinder 122 thereby releasing the detent pin 118 and the pawl 128 from contact with the rack 112. As a result, the magazine carrier 78 is raised to its starting position.

CAM TIMING SEQUENCE Reference is now made to FIG. 13 which illustrates the cam timing sequence. In FIG. 13 the cam follower movements for each cam is illustrated as a function of time. Initially, the cycle begins when the index cam actuates the indexing operation. Shortly thereafter at time 1 to air splice cam 206 actuates the air valve 208 to complete the splicing operation. Cams 160 and 164 open the pins 64a and 68a to permit the first yarn to be drawn through the yarn path. Cam 162 then closes pin 51 to sever the standard yarn 50a. Shortly thereafter the head blank cam 192 and the alarm blank cam 204 block the signals to the controller and the alarm respectively as the spliced ends pass through the denier sensing device 36. The cams 192 and 204 then release the blocked signals after the spliced ends have passed through the sensing device 36. Between time t, and t the first yarn passes through the denier sensing device 36. Just before time cam 164 opens pins 68 and 70. The index cam actuates the index cylinder 136 to move the magazine down another step. Cam 162 opens the pin 66 to release the next yarn. Cam 206 then actuates another air splice and cam closes the pin 64 to pinch off the first yarn. The cycle thus continues until all yarns are drawn through the denier sensing device 36. The stop cam actuates the microswitch for stopping the cam drive motor at the event cycle intervals t t t and i As illustrated in FIG. 13, the cams 190, 19,2, 204, 206, 210, and 164 operate on a half cycle, i.e., between t and 1 The cams 160 and 162 operate on a full cycle between t and t In FIG. 14, the standardized yarn 50a passesthrough guides 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 on the. front of the apparatus housing. The yarn 50a then passes beneath the shank of pin 51 to the splicing head 32. After the standardization yarn 50 has been severed, the free severed end is drawn up to the top of the magazine and secured beneath control pins 222 and 224 as illustrated by the phantom lines. The standardization yarn thus becomes the last yarn in the magazine and is threaded into the yarn path after the last yarn to be monitored.

This procedure avoids the necessity of rethreading the standardization yarn through the yarn path before commencement of the testing of yarns in another magazine. The invention described above provides a fast and efficient manner of checking the denier of a plurality of yarn packages. About 2 to 15 yarn packages can be checked every minute with the use of the invention. The number of packages checked in each series will de pend on the number of control pins in each magazine. Up to 36 yarn packages have successfully been checked in a particular sequence. Obviously, more or less yarn packages can be checked in a given series if desirable.

The magazines 30 clip into the carrier 78 and are easily removed from the magazine after the yarn segments have been monitored. Therefore, the magazines can be loaded with the yarn ends before the magazine is clipped into the carrier 78. Therefore, the denier checking apparatus can run almost continuously with only a short time lapse for changing magazines.

The denier checking apparatus has been described as a single unit mounted with a unitary cabinet. However, the yarn feeding and the denier sensing function can be separate units and housed by separate cabinets.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings, and appended claims withoutdepartment from the spirit of the invention. For example, other types of yarn splicing devices known to those skilled in the art can be employed in the invention. Air splicers of the type disclosed above are recommended for ease of handling, although adhesive and/or hot melt varieties are comtemplated. A more complete description of air splicers is found in US. Pat. No. 3,487,6l8 and 3,570,236. Although the invention has been illustrated with a denier measuring device, the feeding and splicing embodiments of the invention can be used to supply yarn segments to any of a number of other yarn measuring devices such as birefringence measuring devices, analyzers and the like.

The embodiments ofthe invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. Apparatus for feeding a plurality of yarn segments consecutively through a yarn measuring or monitoring means, said apparatus including means for splicing a first yarn segment to a second yarn segment while said first yarn segment is passing through said yarn measuring or monitoring means, and including means synchronized with said splicing means for severing said first yarn behind said splice after said second yarn has been spliced to said first yarn, wherein the improvement comprises:

said severing means includes a knife edge over which said first yarn passes, and means for gripping said first yarn behind said knife edge so that said first yarn is severed at said knife edge.

2. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 1 and further comprising means for stopping said drawing means after the last of said yarn ends has passed through said property sensing means.

3. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 1 wherein said yarn measuring or monitoring means is a capacitance sensing means.

4. Apparatus for feeding a plurality of yarn segments consecutively through a yarn measuring or monitoring means, said apparatus including means for splicing a first yarn segment to a second yarn segment while said first yarn segment is passing through said yarn measuring or monitoring means, and including means synchronized with said splicing means for severing said first yarn behind said splice after said second yarn has been spliced to said first yarn, wherein the improvement comprises:

said feeding apparatus comprises a magazine having first and second rows of means for releasably holding each of said yarn segments in spaced relationship to each other, and means for selectively releasing each yarn singularly as it is positioned in said splicing means.

5. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 and further comprising a carrier for said magazine and means for releasably attaching said magazine to said carrier so that the preloaded magazine can be quickly loaded onto said carrier.

6. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 wherein said feeding apparatus further comprises means for intermittently moving said magazine with respect to said splicing means so that each yarn segment in said magazine is sequentially fed into said splicing means in a timed sequence.

7. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 wherein said first row of holding means comprises vertically spaced pins on one side of said magazine, said pins having heads which close against a face of said magazine to retain said yarn segments, said pin heads being movable to an open position spaced from said face of said magazine whereupon said pins form guides for said yarn segments when in said open position.

8. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 7 and further comprising means biasing said heads of said pins of said first holding means against said face of said magazine.

9. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 7 wherein said first and second rows of holding means are spaced horizontally from each other, said magazine further comprises a vertical recess between said first and second rows of holding means; said splicing means includes a block with a horizontal bore passing therethrough, a guide slot between one side ofsaid block and said horizontal bore for guiding said yarn in said magazine into said horizontal bore; said splicing means being positioned within said vertical recess in said magazine for reception of said yarn segments by said guide slot as said magazine moves with respect to said splicing means.

10. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 9 wherein said splicing means includes means for injecting a puff of air into said circular bore to entangle the end of said second yarn with said first yarn segment as said first yarn segment passes through said bore.

11. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 10 wherein said selective releasing means includes means for closing said first holding means against said first yarn after said second yarn has been spliced in said splicing means.

12. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 and further comprising means for closing said first holding means for said first yarn segment after said second yarn segment has been spliced in said splicing means.

13. In a method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments wherein each yarn segment is passed sequentially through a yarn path including a device for sensing the property of the yarn passing therethrough, and the end of one yarn segment is spliced to another yarn segment in said yarn path, and said other yarn from said spliced yarn is thereafter severed behind the splice so that said one yarn is thereby drawn through said yarn path, wherein the improvement comprises:

said splicing and severing steps are repeated for a plurality of yarns after a predetermined length of each yarn has passed through said property sensing device, whereby each yarn is measured in sequence.

14. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said splicing step is carried out dynamically as said other yarn is moving through said yarn path.

15. A method for measuring a property ofa plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said splicing step is carried out dynamically as said other yarn is moving through said yarn path.

16. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 and further comprising the steps of stopping the movement of yarn through said yarn path when the measured property of the yarn passing through the property sensing device falls below or exceeds a predetermined limit.

17. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 and further including the step of generating an alarm signal when the property of the yarn passing through the property sensing device falls below or exceeds a predetermined limit, and blocking said alarm signal from the property sensing device when the spliced ends of said yarn pass through the property sensing device.

18. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said splicing step includes pneumatically intertwining said one yarn end with said other yarn.

19. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said severing step includes gripping said other yarn behind the point at which the two yarns are spliced together to stop the movement of said other yarn through said yarn path.

20. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 19 wherein said severing step includes passing the other yarn over a knife edge between the splice and the point at which the yarn is gripped.

21. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 and further comprising splicing a standard yarn end to the last of said yarns in said plurality of yarns, wherein said standard yarn is drawn into said yarn path, and thereafter stopping the movement of said standard yarn through said yarn path so that said standard yarn is automatically threaded into said yarn path, thereby avoiding rethreading yarn through said yarn path.

22. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a means for measuring a property of each yarn segment, said feeding apparatus comprismg:

means for mounting the ends of each yarn segments in spaced relationship to each other;

means for splicing the end of one yarn segment to another yarn segment;

means for drawing a yarn from said splicing means;

and

means for moving said mounting means with respect to said splicing means so that each yarn in said mounting means is sequentially moved in operative relationship with said splicing means and sequentially spliced thereby to a previous yarn from said mounting means as said mounting means is moved with respect to said splicing means, whereby said yarn segments are sequentially spliced together and drawn from said splicing means.

23. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 22 wherein said splicing means splices said one yarn to said other yarn as said other yarn is being drawn through said splicing means.

24. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 23 and further comprising means for severing each previous yarn segment from the spliced yarn segments subsequent to splicing each pair of yarn segments together.

25. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 24 and further comprising means for severing each previous yarn from the spliced yarn segments subsequent to splicing the next yarn end thereto.

26. A method for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a testing device for said yarn segments, said method comprising:

dynamically splicing the end of a second yarn segment in the sequence of a first yarn segment in the sequence as said first yarn segment is being drawn to said testing device,

thereafter severing said first yarn segment behind said splice; and

repeating the procedures until all yarns in the se quence have been drawn to the testing device.

27. A method for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn-segments according to claim 26 and further including the step of first mounting said plurality of yarn segments in spaced relationship to each other.

28. A magazine for use in sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a device for measuring the denier of such yarns, said magazine comprising:

an elongated retainer having first and second rows of vertically spaced openings extending through said retainer, the openings of said first row horizontally corresponding to said openings in said second row;

a pin mounted for reciprocation in each of said openings, each of said pins having a head of a diameter larger than said openings so that said head abuts against a portion of said retainer at one side thereof for retention of a yarn end between said portion of said retainer and said head;

means biasing said head against said portions of said plate, whereby each yarn end is loaded into said magazine beneath the head ofa pin in said first row and beneath the head of a pin in said second row, whereby said yarn segments can be individually retained in spaced relationship to each other beneath the heads of pairs of pins in horizontal alignment.

29. A magazine according to claim 28 wherein said first row of openings comprises a pair of sub-rows, the holes in one of said sub-rows alternating vertically with the holes in the other of said sub-rows.

30. A magazine according to claim 28 and further comprising a vertical indentation between said first and second rows of holes so that said yarn segments span said indentation. 

1. Apparatus for feeding a plurality of yarn segments consecutively through a yarn measuring or monitoring means, said apparatus including means for splicing a first yarn segment to a second yarn segment while said first yarn segment is passing through said yarn measuring or monitoring means, and including means synchronized with said splicing means for severing said first yarn behind said splice after said second yarn has been spliced to said first yarn, wherein the improvement comprises: said severing means includes a knife edge over which said first yarn passes, and means for gripping said first yarn behind said knife edge so that said first yarn is severed at said knife edge.
 2. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 1 and further comprising means for stopping said drawing means after the last of said yarn ends has passed through said property sensing means.
 3. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 1 wherein said yarn measuring or monitoring means is a capacitance sensing means.
 4. Apparatus for feeding a plurality of yarn segments consecutively through a yarn measuring or monitoring means, said apparatus including means for splicing a first yarn segment to a second yarn segment while said first yarn segment is passing through said yarn measuring or monitoring means, and including means synchronized with said splicing means for severing said first yarn behind said splice after said second yarn has been spliced to said first yarn, wherein the improvement comprises: said feeding apparatus comprises a magazine having first and second rows of means for releasably holding each of said yarn segments in spaced relationship to each other, and means for selectively releasing each yarn singularly as it is positioned in said splicing means.
 5. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 and further comprising a carrier for said magazine and means for releasably attaching said magazine to said carrier so that the preloaded magazine can be quickly loaded onto said carrier.
 6. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 wherein said feeding apparatus further comprises means for intermittently moving said magazine with respect to said splicing means so that each yarn segment in said magazine is sequentially fed into said splicing means in a timed sequence.
 7. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 wherein said first row of holding means comprises vertically spaced pins on one side of said magazine, said pins having heads which close against a face of said magazine to retain said yarn segments, said pin heads being movable to an open position spaced from said face of said magazine whereupon said pins form guides for said yarn segments when in said open position.
 8. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 7 and further comprising means biasing said heads of said pins of said first holding means against said face of said magazine.
 9. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 7 wherein said first and second rows of holding means are spaced horizontally from each other, said magazine further comprises a vertical recess beTween said first and second rows of holding means; said splicing means includes a block with a horizontal bore passing therethrough, a guide slot between one side of said block and said horizontal bore for guiding said yarn in said magazine into said horizontal bore; said splicing means being positioned within said vertical recess in said magazine for reception of said yarn segments by said guide slot as said magazine moves with respect to said splicing means.
 10. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 9 wherein said splicing means includes means for injecting a puff of air into said circular bore to entangle the end of said second yarn with said first yarn segment as said first yarn segment passes through said bore.
 11. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 10 wherein said selective releasing means includes means for closing said first holding means against said first yarn after said second yarn has been spliced in said splicing means.
 12. An apparatus for measuring a property of a yarn segment according to claim 4 and further comprising means for closing said first holding means for said first yarn segment after said second yarn segment has been spliced in said splicing means.
 13. In a method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments wherein each yarn segment is passed sequentially through a yarn path including a device for sensing the property of the yarn passing therethrough, and the end of one yarn segment is spliced to another yarn segment in said yarn path, and said other yarn from said spliced yarn is thereafter severed behind the splice so that said one yarn is thereby drawn through said yarn path, wherein the improvement comprises: said splicing and severing steps are repeated for a plurality of yarns after a predetermined length of each yarn has passed through said property sensing device, whereby each yarn is measured in sequence.
 14. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said splicing step is carried out dynamically as said other yarn is moving through said yarn path.
 15. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said splicing step is carried out dynamically as said other yarn is moving through said yarn path.
 16. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 and further comprising the steps of stopping the movement of yarn through said yarn path when the measured property of the yarn passing through the property sensing device falls below or exceeds a predetermined limit.
 17. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 and further including the step of generating an alarm signal when the property of the yarn passing through the property sensing device falls below or exceeds a predetermined limit, and blocking said alarm signal from the property sensing device when the spliced ends of said yarn pass through the property sensing device.
 18. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said splicing step includes pneumatically intertwining said one yarn end with said other yarn.
 19. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 wherein said severing step includes gripping said other yarn behind the point at which the two yarns are spliced together to stop the movement of said other yarn through said yarn path.
 20. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 19 wherein said severing step includes passing the other yarn over a knife edge between the splice and the point at which the yarn is gripped.
 21. A method for measuring a property of a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 13 and further comprising splicing a standard yarn end to the last of said yarns in said plurality of yarns, wherein said standarD yarn is drawn into said yarn path, and thereafter stopping the movement of said standard yarn through said yarn path so that said standard yarn is automatically threaded into said yarn path, thereby avoiding rethreading yarn through said yarn path.
 22. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a means for measuring a property of each yarn segment, said feeding apparatus comprising: means for mounting the ends of each yarn segments in spaced relationship to each other; means for splicing the end of one yarn segment to another yarn segment; means for drawing a yarn from said splicing means; and means for moving said mounting means with respect to said splicing means so that each yarn in said mounting means is sequentially moved in operative relationship with said splicing means and sequentially spliced thereby to a previous yarn from said mounting means as said mounting means is moved with respect to said splicing means, whereby said yarn segments are sequentially spliced together and drawn from said splicing means.
 23. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 22 wherein said splicing means splices said one yarn to said other yarn as said other yarn is being drawn through said splicing means.
 24. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 23 and further comprising means for severing each previous yarn segment from the spliced yarn segments subsequent to splicing each pair of yarn segments together.
 25. An apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 24 and further comprising means for severing each previous yarn from the spliced yarn segments subsequent to splicing the next yarn end thereto.
 26. A method for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a testing device for said yarn segments, said method comprising: dynamically splicing the end of a second yarn segment in the sequence of a first yarn segment in the sequence as said first yarn segment is being drawn to said testing device, thereafter severing said first yarn segment behind said splice; and repeating the procedures until all yarns in the sequence have been drawn to the testing device.
 27. A method for sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments according to claim 26 and further including the step of first mounting said plurality of yarn segments in spaced relationship to each other.
 28. A magazine for use in sequentially feeding a plurality of yarn segments to a device for measuring the denier of such yarns, said magazine comprising: an elongated retainer having first and second rows of vertically spaced openings extending through said retainer, the openings of said first row horizontally corresponding to said openings in said second row; a pin mounted for reciprocation in each of said openings, each of said pins having a head of a diameter larger than said openings so that said head abuts against a portion of said retainer at one side thereof for retention of a yarn end between said portion of said retainer and said head; means biasing said head against said portions of said plate, whereby each yarn end is loaded into said magazine beneath the head of a pin in said first row and beneath the head of a pin in said second row, whereby said yarn segments can be individually retained in spaced relationship to each other beneath the heads of pairs of pins in horizontal alignment.
 29. A magazine according to claim 28 wherein said first row of openings comprises a pair of sub-rows, the holes in one of said sub-rows alternating vertically with the holes in the other of said sub-rows.
 30. A magazine according to claim 28 and further comprising a vertical indentation between said first and second rows of holes so that said yarn segments span said indentation. 